Soil Association revamps organic standards

The Soil Association has made changes to its organic standards to allow for better understanding for licensees and the public to provide the highest level of protection for food, livestock and the environment

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Farmers, the food industry, advisors and the public were consulted during this major review, which as well as simplifying the certification process for farmers has strengthened standards in areas such as animal welfare.

The Soil Association is working closely with Government to ensure that the impact of Brexit on the organic sector will be mitigated.

The updated standards will come into effect in spring 2019 are available to preview here.

Daisy Blackhurst, standards impact manager for the Soil Association said, “These revised organic standards mean independent retailers can continue to be assured that when they stock organic products they are helping to support the highest standards of food and farming. For their shoppers, it means supporting the things we know they are concerned about, like protection for the environment, animal welfare and antibiotic resistance”.

Dr Benjamin Dent, chair of the Soil Association Standards Board said, “We believe that the Soil Association’s higher standards are the right standards for organic food and farming in the UK. This has been an extremely thorough, evidence-based review. Our expert committees and consultations have ensured the new standards are practical for our licensees and encourage them to innovate, and that where we are more demanding than the regulations, that this is justified in terms of enhanced impacts on animal welfare and the environment.”

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